I am still working on the process of helping Christina document her lineage back to my grandfather.  It is slow going, as I have to send away for everything, and let me tell you, some Town/City clerks are easier to work with than others.   And of course it costs money for each certificate.   And time to compose letters, get copies of my i.d., have my request letters notarized.   What we do for our children!

     Some fun:   Aurelia has Skyped me twice in last week;   I love the video  phone calls, and we do have some lovely conversations.   Yesterday, she played her CD of "Harry and The Lady Next Door" over the computer, or at least part of it.   We talked about how loud that lady sings, and then we sang....LOUD!!  What a hoot.  The hard part about those calls was that during both of them Aurelia said she wanted me to be there in her house with her.  Of course, I had to say I can't come right now.  And we reviewed again the list I had made for her of all the things that will happen in her life before I am again in LA.   She has crossed off 'Halloween,'....can't learn the joy of lists too soon!

     Today the sprinkler guys are FINALLY coming to winterize the system.  We had a heavy frost this morning, so this isn't a minute too soon.   I've raked some more, and some more, and some more.   The yard waste guys emptied the can yesterday, and it's full again already.   Most of the leaves are down from the trees now, so there is an end in sight for that chore.

     Jane is coming here for lunch today, as I need to stay home for the sprinkler guys.  Other than that, it's life as usual, and what a good life it is.  I am so grateful.